People know about Al Capone's imprisonment at Alcatraz and Eastern State Penitentiary and his time in Chicago. But there are a number of hotels across the region where the famous gangster had his own suites, always on the run or overseeing gambling and bootlegging operations. There were also restaurants and bars where he'd enjoy his time off in the Southern sunshine. … [Read more...] about 7 Unlikely Places in the South Tied to Al Capone
Tennessee
Southern Stays: RT Lodge
RT Lodge is a cozy retreat near Maryville, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The main building was once the home of Susan Wiley Cooper Walker, a recent widow who moved to the town to be closer to her sister, whose husband was the chaplain at Maryville College. Built in 1932, it included the 26-room home with an adjacent carriage house. After Walker … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: RT Lodge
Literary South: Alex Haley
Alex Haley was born in Ithaca, New York, on August 11, 1921, but was mostly raised in Tennessee, along with his parents and four siblings. His father worked as a professor at Alabama A&M University. He later attended college at Alcorn State University and Elizabeth City State College before dropping out to spend several years with the U.S. Coast Guard. After World War … [Read more...] about Literary South: Alex Haley
3 Historic Tennessee Hotels for Train Lovers
Railroads began appearing in Tennessee in the 1830s, following decades of relying on the rivers for the transportation of goods. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad and Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad were two of the most important, with the latter crossing the rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau to connect the important cities. By the early 20th century, nearly … [Read more...] about 3 Historic Tennessee Hotels for Train Lovers
Southern Stays: The Hotel Chalet
The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo is a boutique hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Situated at the former Terminal Station, a Beaux-Arts-style train station built in 1909, the hotel is part of the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo complex, named for the famous song. It opened in 2023. Rooms at The Hotel … [Read more...] about Southern Stays: The Hotel Chalet
